Indicator i ox gole glues



Oct. 19 1926.

J. H. KEATING INDICATOR FOR GOLF CLUBS Filed A ril 6. 19 26 as \v Patented Oct. 19,

JOHN H.

HEATING, 0F BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

INDECATOR F03 GQLF CLUBEL Application filed April 6.

llily nvention relates to an indicator for golf clubs.

The principal object oi? my invention is to an attachment for groli" clubs which is arranced both to assist the player in propcrlv dressing the club so that the striking use. or face, will be correctly presented to the hall preparatory to i'nalting the strolze and also to associate with the foregoing; means. suitable indicia that will insure such a positioning; of the guidin or controlling, hand of the player as will secure the intended direction and trajectory when the club head impacts with the ball.

A turther object is to arrange the 'fOl'Q O- in it features in a golf club attachment which when secured to the club does not interfere with the smoothness ot the p sui't'ace, thereby permitting: a variety of hand-holds without irritation to the player.

A further object is to incorporate the aboyc features in an attachment which may be quickly and easily applied to golf clubs, either during or after manutacture, and which may be sold for a minimum price.

Heretot'ore, golf club devices of the same general character as that involved in the p esent application have usually taken the form either of a sighting marker disposed on the grip for assistance in correctly positioning; the club head with reference to the ball before making the stroke, or have con sistcd of attachments which are adjustably secured to the grip and adapted to facilitale a uniform grasping of the club in order to obtain shots of the desired character.

It is a well known fact that the essence of good golf driving; lies in a proper action of the W1 sts and that an analysis of the part played by each hand during a drive tor a rigrht hand player shows that the right hand guides, or controls, the club while the left hand per forms the driving function. As a necessary corollary to the foregoing, it is further well understood that a correct dressing: of the head of the club preparatory to making the stroke must be followed by a properly directed impact with the ball, otherwise the desired direction and trajectory will not be obtained. Different positions of the hand ,around the grip produce corresponding changes in the character of the impact of the club head with the ball and therefore of the resulting shot. Hence, it is obvious that while a marker, or other aliening device, is of material assistance in the 1926. Serial N0. 100,024.

preliminary step, it is entirely valueless so far assuring); correct impact is concerned.

The adjustable attachments hereinbetore mentioned are also objectionable in that they form protuberances on the grip and mustbe continually readjusted to accord with the variation in the skill of the player. Moreover, when once in position, the use of the club is restricted to one type of shot, thus destroy ng its adaptability to the changing conditions or" play.

It is the object of my invention to devise an attachment in the form of a band which is to be secured adjacent the lower portion ol the drip and to be provided with suitable indicia hereinafter described. This band carries an index line whereby the head of the club may be initially positioned in the manner now old in the art and also additional index ncs by which the player may obtain any desired direction in driving, or overcome objectionable tendencies while periingr the same operation. Some players exhibit a. tendency to either hook or slice the hall and special club heads have been des'q'ued to overcome these defects. However, these clubs are of no value after the faults have been cured, except for special shots. Again, a players skill varies from day to day and it is therefore desirable to provide an attachment which, without inrestoring with standard club design or affectthe smoothness of the grip surface, will secure unitormity in driving or other midfield play, enable special shots to be readily made with standard clubs and promote a general improvement in the play.

These and further objects of my invention will be set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and the novel means by which sa d objects are ctl'ectuated will be definitely pointed out in the claim.

In the drawing:

ure 1 is an elevation of a golf club the club in position for play with my iniiprov d indicator attached thereto.

Figure 2 is a developed plan view of the indicator as the same would appear to the player.

In the drawing:

The numeral 10 represents a golf club having the usual head 11, shaft 12, and grip 13. The indicator 1d is secured to said grip adjacent the lower portion thereof.

Said indicator comprises a band which is preciably beyond the surface of the grip,

thereby avoiding undue friction with the hands. If it is found desirable to use a band of relatively large thickness, a recess may be cut in the grip and the band secured therein flush with the surface of said grip.

The indicator band carries an index line 15 which is parallel with the end edges of the band and usually midway therebetween. lVhen applied to the club, the band will he arranged so that the line 15 will be parallel with the striking face 16 of the head 11 and accordingly with the az-zis of the club 10. For convenience, the line 15 may bear the legend straight. A second index line 17 is disposed on the right hand side of t line 15, as the player grasps the club, and a third ind X line 18 is disposed on the left hand side of the line 15. The lines 1. and 18 are angularly positioned relative to the line 15 in order to register with the natural position of the players thumb 25 it lies along the grip 13. Additional index; lines n 1y i imprinted on the indicator 1% between th' line 15 and the lines 17 and 18. The line 1. bears the legend Slice and the line 18 bears the legend Hook.

In using a club provided with my improved indicator, the giip will be grasped in any desired manner as preferrcl by he player and the club head 11 dressed to the ball 19 through the medium of the index line 15. Assuming that the player of the hand type and that his driving is characterized by a tendency to slice the ball when the grip is held as above, he will then move his right, or controlling, hand around the grip until the thumb registers with the line 18, or a line between the line 18 and the line 15. A trial shot will then be made to ascertain whether such a pos tioning of the right hand will secure a straight drive; if so, the thumb position will be noted and the club thereafter grasped at this location. Otherwise, additional shots will be made until the desired location is found. If the player has a hooking tendency in his play, the right hand will be moved in the opposite direction and the same procedure followed.

i or a left hand player, the above steps will be reversed as will also the marking of the indicator band.

it is therefore apparent that my improved indicator band will be of material assistance to a player whose driving p0. sses the inlzei'ent iaults noted above, as it will enable llllll to straighten out hi drives and by gradually workiim; his 1'. hand back to the normal position, eventually bring his play to a state f perfection. D -ingthis period of adjusti nt, the index lines atfords him a means whereby he is certain of always 0 asping the club in a uniform man- The same advantage is available to the more skilled playe; on those days when his ne falls below usual standard. vioreover, it will be particularly noted that my ind cater is embodied in a device which does not detract fm n the smoothness of the p and which does not require adjustment froday to day. its advantages are present for those who desire to make use of the same, but as the indicator occupies an un ohitrizsive position on the grip, it does not interfere with the ordinary handling of the same.

Ei'iy improved device is not restricted use on drivers as such, but may be to any of the clubs which are utih/ midfield play and may be applied to putters.

il hile I have shown one set of elements n I binations thereof for caii into effect my l2. proved indicator, I do not desire v..;e limited LO the exact form and structure y changes may lie 111 de there .3 departing from the spirit of my i a vention.

claim:

club provided with a band having a 0611: :11 index l'ne on the there-of fo" aligning the club head relative to a hall and an index line disposed on each side of said central line for determining the position of the controlling hand of a player.

In testimony whereof, I afiii; my signature.

JOHN H. KEATIN z- 

